Tony Gilroy On Guiding ‘Andor,’ The Challenge Of Making A Prequel & How It Became A Family Affair

[@user-yl4lf9mh1w]

Andor is the best Star Wars content since the 80s, and it’s so relevant to our current times. It’s truly a masterwork of art.

[@WellFedProductions]

Best SW content since The Last Jedi

[@arneczool6614]

Andor is amazing because its NOT just „content“, its STORY.

[@19ars92]

The level of details they put in the series like the hairstyles dresses and looks from the 70’s on the Empire’s personnel It’s truly a gem.

[@trispretty]

I was an extra in the Ferrix set. One day I was given a new jacket to wear. They filmed a scene I was in the background & an assistant runs up to me as I had a small cylinder no bigger than 4cm attached to my jacket. I doubt anyone would have seen it... But it was an imperial data device.. apparently. And my character would not have that. This, and the other attention to detail on that set was the best I've seen in my career as an actor...

[@ephre]

It'll keep being relevant in every era of our society for many years to come. I watched it again recently; in light of Israel Palestine it really hits hard in a new way. It's not just great Star Wars, it's incredible sci-fi that stands strong against other incredible sci-fi.

[@ephre]

So there will be no season 3, that's probably good and will also leave me desperate for more. This guy is a great writer.

[@davidryan7386]

Rogue 1 and the original trilogy can be your season 3.

[@ephre]

@@davidryan7386 Rogue 1 nor the original trilogy compare in quality to Andor. I kind of hate Star Wars.

[@tenyouusness]

Very excited to not only get to see season 2 of Andor next year but also to hear Tony Gilroy's commentary in interviews and podcasts again. The way he works is so discerning and intentional that every word he says is enlightening. I wish we could get him (or anyone involved with the show, really) to record episode commentaries for the physical disc releases.

[@kwameoluwasomi]

Yeah, Andor really is the best thing he's ever done, and I'm not even a Star Wars fan. Blew me away. THIS show is exactly the caliber of storytelling I was expecting from the franchise, given how fanatic its fans are. It might even be the best television I've ever watched.

[@seancrowley3142]

If Andor had 4+ seasons with similar quality as season 1, it definitely could be considered for greatest show of all time. Right now, Breaking Bad is number 1 for me.

[@ephre]

@@seancrowley3142 Breaking Bad is one of the greatest TV shows ever made, but they rushed through the last season and the film was terrible. I can no longer stand next to the idea BB is the best because it was ruined. As long as Season 2 of Andor is a good as season 1, it's a contender for greatest TV ever made. I think Better Call Saul is a better show than Breaking Bad because the standard stays high for the entire series. Also, seeing as you clearly have great taste, you should try Shogun if you haven't already.

[@seancrowley3142]

@@ephre BCS is definitely in the running for greatest show of all time. Many say that it is better than BB and I can definitely understand that argument although I disagree. BB was so complex and had so many peak moments, (Jesse in the therapy group, taking about “killing a dog,” Fly, Walt giving Jesse a hug in the desert after accusing him of killing Mike, ect) Now I admit, I haven’t seen the Wire (tired to watch it like 3 times, can’t get into it but I will try again), Sopranos or Succession. Even if Andor s2 is better than season 1, I just don’t think you can be the greatest show with only 24 episodes of content.

[@ephre]

@@seancrowley3142 Oh yeah, don't get me wrong i totally agree about BB - i just felt a bit cheated by the last season and the movie. BCS isn't as good as the great bits of BB, but i always feel really cheated when producers ruin things and BCS didn't get rushed by a production schedule. I wouldn't bother with Sopranos it's very overrated. Succession is great, but it does start to falter in season 3. The Wire is absolutely amazing, but McNaulty is such a pain in the arse, i can understand why you'd find it hard to get into, although i'd defo recommend it. I mean you can have a greatest show with just 4 episodes if they don't fuck it up. Have you seen the English TV show Traffik? They made an awful Mel Gibson movie out of it, but i think that's a contender for greatest TV ever made and i think it's only 6 episodes. I reckon not exhausting the content is a better idea that dragging it out until it dies. Traffik doesn't have the cinematography BB and BCS has, but the writing is amazing. Defo have a look at Shogun though, it's absolute gold.

[@all1nerd377]

Girloy was such a genius hire. He's everything this franchise needed!

[@TheFranc77]

I'd literally watch only half a minutes and this man already explain (unintentionally) why the secuels fail: the key is to disrupt, to attempt the opposite, not to be safe. This is exactly what JJ didn't do.

[@mister_john]

Such a contrast to Filoni/Favreau, JJ/Rian interviews. This guy is so chill, genuine, and smart.

[@Pintoman101]

I loved how he said it wasn’t a cynical endeavor and they take the audience seriously and are trying to garner their respect. Total opposite of a lot of writers/directors these days

[@martinjrgensen8234]

Tony has something he wants to say, there is meaning behind his writing. The others… well Filoni/Favreau said Mando was “playing with toys”… I also think it is a strength that Tony isn’t mired in Star Wars beforehand. Plus he is just a better writer and creator

[@farwoodfarm9296]

I had goosebumps every week when this show premiered. I’ve watched it multiple times and feel exactly the same way everytime.

[@andyb1653]

Same. Best Star Wars show bar none, and some of the best TV full stop since HBO's Chernobyl series. Luthen's "sacrifice" rant borders on Shakespeare. "I share my dreams with ghosts" makes my blood run cold. Every. Single. Time.

[@eknielsen72]

It's epic. Every damn episode. Replace Kathleen with Tony. Please. Less is more if it's quality.

[@martinjrgensen8234]

After some of the episodes I had to take a walk, to clear my brain before going to sleep

[@lexi-conby]

gilroy shows that the writing is key. i'm glad he didnt write a bunch of fan service into andor. andor is an example of something star wars without light sabres, the force, etc. i'd argue that it actually hamstrings creativity

[@Qwazin]

This show is nothing short of a miracle. I can't believe someone at DISNEY approved an anti-fascist show for adults about rebellion, politics and anarchy set in the Star Wars universe. The spirit of this series really harkens back to the themes George Lucas was playing with back in 77 before RotJ basically turned SW into a "friendship is magic" type of affair. I honestly never believed I would ever watch something again that made me feel as inspired as A New Hope, but I'll be damned if this show doesn't make me wanna start a revolution.

[@darcypocklington6866]

Strongly agree. SW is a magnificent story of courage in the face of tyranny. Empire was a good sequel. Everything that followed was trash ... until Andor. Andor captures the spirit of the original movie. It pays homage to the franchise, while taking it to new, smarter, more adult places. Not a how-to guide, but I'll take it. We need more stories that explore what it takes to start a revolution.

[@kevinzhang6623]

The best of ROTJ is pure Star Wars. These "SW Purists"

[@gbrogo7139]

@@kevinzhang6623agreed. Lmao. These edgelord a throwing it under the bus makes me cringe

[@spicydaddy2526]

@@kevinzhang6623 friendship is magic *shrug*

[@jeremiahmarkusmedia6915]

The fact that Tony passed on the Directing chair to so he could continue rewriting and showrrunning... What a Legend!

[@adam3647]

That's a visionary giving a shit about his baby right there.

[@gbrogo7139]

Passed on directing this show?

[@mydreaminorbit9297]

To use a sports analogy, Tony Gilroy pitched a perfect game with Andor. Every payoff built over the 3 episode arcs delivered. The heists, the prison break, the Finale all were amazing. The actors, the directors, the composer, the set and costume designers. All were at the top of their game behind Tony. It's rare when a few elements come together let alone everything in the making of a show.

[@MadLFC]

Disney should give Gilroy a blank check and total creative control of Star Wars. The guy simply gets it. He understands what makes Star Wars tick. He understands and respects the fans desires and expectations but will not be subservient to it. He genuinely wants to give viewers something familiar it its core but fresh and exciting at the same time. He's tuned into George Lucas' philosophy but is willing to expand and enhance that philosophy without disrespecting it. There is always room for George Lucas' idea that Star Wars is for children but Gilroy has proved that Star Wars can be much more than that.

[@pwh1981]

It's insane just how much of a miracle Andor is, from the circumstances of it's production, the cast that was assembled, the production team that was always able to pull through at the last-minute, and Gilroy's team and their writing, and that Disney did ONE thing right in letting him work his magic. It's the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings Trilogy television series equivalent, and it's almost depressing just how little it's celebrated; which isn't to say it isn't at all, but I personally think Andor should be revered as a god amongst men when it comes to shows, especially Star Wars these last years. I truly believe it comes as close to perfection as is humanly possible, both in terms of Star Wars and television. While I would love to hand Gilroy the big Golden Key to Star Wars, it's a pipe dream and always will be. Diego Luna said in a previous interview that they wanted to do five seasons of this show when they first started, but when confronted with the monumental task that was getting the show together, realized it was impossible. The first season alone took nearly four years to produce, and while some of that can be chalked up to the difficulties of covid during production, most of that time was spent making sure it was the quality it came out to be. It simply wouldn't be feasible to do five seasons with years to produce each one; Gilroy would likely be pushing close to 75 by the time they would be done with it, and it's something everyone involved would have to commit their lives to. In a perfect world, they would, and we would be graced with media that pushes the boundary of what was thought possible; a true modern Shakespeare in terms of impact. But in recognizing the imperfect world and lives we live in, I will be more than grateful for the sliver of true brilliance and amazing story-telling that Gilroy and his team have deigned to bestow upon us. Truly, Andor is not only the best Star Wars ever produced, I think it is easily one of the best pieces of fiction ever produced, in all categories of merit.

[@MadLFC]

@@pwh1981 Amen to that.👍

[@hydrakn]

I can't wait to watch Season 2

[@geoff420]

I didn't know he didn’t direct it because the direction is amazing. The angles, the action, the cinematography is consistently great, so I want to see more of Tony and more of these directors.

[@sundrelstriker7513]

I added Gilroy as one of my Favorite directors after Bourne. He became my all time favorite after Andor. Ive been asking for a grounded series about the citizens of the galaxy in SW and i never thought id get it. The dialogue, the emotion, the thick tension and human element of fear and anger are so prevelant and well written and it is a great love of mine. Star Wars needs more lanes and i hope Tony Gilroy has sparked Disneys risk of getting different directors to do different stories ro open up this huge world of sw and dive in deeper

[@sundrelstriker7513]

*writers

[@mitchyoung4173]

Andor is a piece of art and anyone who says otherwise is willfully shooting themselves in the foot. SW isn't a genre, it’s a universe and many different genres, themes, characters, and stories have yet to be discovered in that universe. If someone wants the 'feel' of the old movies there is good news, the old movies still exist, so literally go watch them again. As horrendous as some of the Last Jedi was I have grown to appreciate that Rian was also trying to make something new, his execution in some of that 'newness' was very questionable but the stuff that worked really worked. This misguided unconscious consensus of SW fans that we need to ‘recapture’ those feelings from the first films has led to an over saturation of bad SW trying to live up to something it shouldn’t even need to. Every SW project doesn’t need the same themes, characters, and feeling as the OG trilogy, that'd get repetitive and very boring. Most new projects have virtually become parodies of the source material where nothing is left but references cameos, and generic mic-drop lines that fit in any situation. I love Andor not just because it is full of heart, nuance, and complex storytelling in a thematically dark setting but also because of what it represents: innovation of SW and a new hope that future SW projects don't have to be self referential, sloppily written, poorly executed, mass produced projects rather than pieces of art that stand on their own merit. Disneys and the fans problem has been thinking that SW is a genre and everything must fit into very confined rules. If someone thinks Andor is too boring they need to consider spending less time feeding their dopamine receptors with stuff like Tik Tok and take the time to pay attention to what’s happening between action sequences. They’ll realize that that there is a lot of nuance and character work happening, it is a masterclass of writing and direction. If someone thinks Andor doesn't feel like SW they need to reframe how they understand the IP, it is not a genre of itself. The themes, characters, settings, sounds, textures, virtually everything is straight out of the Lucas doctrine and what story he was trying to tell. If someone thinks Andor stands shoulder to shoulder on equal footing as Obi Wan, Ahsoka, or Boba Fett they need to try and summarize one of those shows and try to summarize Andor, the difficulty to do so for Andor succinctly is indicative of the complex level of detail and care. Andor is lightyears ahead of those shows in virtually every cinema or storytelling criteria. Anyone who loves this show should be promoting it and recommending it to everyone they know. Systems either change or die and there is only one way out of this SW slump of bad media.

[@artboymoy]

Thank you and Mr. Gilroy for a wonderful insightful interview and for Andor. The greatest Star Wars show out there. The thing about subverting things or shaking things up is good and all, but you really need some excellent writing for people to accept it. And that's what we got with Andor. It expands the SW universe more than any of the other series. IMO.

[@nickbitlee]

I’m so grateful for this man. He’s single handedly saving the post disney Star Wars - a new hope, if you will!

[@dnpjj]

A familiar new hope!

[@geoffreymaxwell2084]

I wanna see them make more shows in this style nested inside the og trilogy rebellion era.

[@hydrakn]

Nice interview

[@Danetto]

andor is such a great show

[@ianwhyte3964]

He's such a breath of fresh air. Brilliant.

[@ragnar1338]

Mr. Algorithm please - this needs more views. Great interview!

[@jasonraschen1109]

Fantastic interview Pete. “Andor” is my favorite SW series hands down. What Tony and the rest of his writing team did is amazing. Thank you for posting this video!

[@loganastrup6870]

Andor is the best Star Wars thing since the OG trilogy. I still can’t believe Disney approved it considering it’s so different from the other shows

[@ADavid42]

a model for an aspiring writer.

[@jackson857]

How does this interview with Tony Gilroy have less than 300 views? That's crazy to me.

[@Pictoru2]

We need more people like Tony, who do work that inspires and challenges us...not just entertain.

[@makscho1]

I just finished watching season 1 for the 10th time. It’s my favorite show. It resonates with me and chokes me up even though I pretty much know the script by now.

[@philrabe910]

Andor is my favorite Star Wars product. Many years ago my ex and I fantasized about "opening new lanes" showing the work-a-day ST universe- showing us where, when, and how the Millenium Falcon got so dirty... But illustrating the lives of regular folks dealing with living under the empire- nobody from the film franchise...

[@labamboos]

Thank you Tony Gilroy.

[@BretEsque]

This is the guy that should be running disney star wars. Andor is by far the best product to come out of that studio since the purchase of LucasFilm

[@ByDesignation]

IMO best show I’ve seen in my lifetime. I’m actually kind of scared of season 2. I really hope season 2 can cement this show as one of the greatest. Personally I would be okay with just one season, because the second season is where things usually take a downturn.

[@pwh1981]

I know the feeling. I fear that it just won't live up to such massive expectations that rest on it's shoulders. But, I also must hold onto that hope that we truly get a shining masterpiece that sets it alongside the OT, the LOTR trilogy, all the greats of visual media.

[@nickkepics6379]

Andor is the best TV I can recall watching in at least the last 20 years. I can’t help but see similarities and comparisons between the storyline of the evil empire and what’s currently taking place politically, not just in America, but other oppressive regimes worldwide. Andor is very relevant to current events because it’s timeless. Go back in history and look at all the attempts for world conquest. It seems humans are stuck with having to experience and live through these periods, these epochs of history, not because we don’t know our history, but because it’s simply part of human nature that some will always try to dominate and rule others. Maybe that’s the lesson we can learn going forward to make amendments to existing and future constitutions to make them bulletproof proof against tyranny and corruption. Ambitious? Yes. Should we do it anyway? Absolutely! Not doing so only leads society in one direction: autocratic rule by the wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else.

[@UNPRECEDENTEDPICTURES]

Wow! One of the most inspiring interviews I've heard in a long time. Not surprising considering the interviewee created my favourite series to date! Thank you Tony for sharing these pearls with us.

[@phoenixr6811]

This was awesome, getting to see his thought process into writing Andor is 😊

[@callemdavies8992]

If you could - somehow - take the Star Wars completely out of Andor, placing it in a more terrestrial setting, you would still have an exemplary piece of drama, sci-fi or not. And that is because of the brilliant plot and the writing that makes it painfully real and immersive.

[@seancrowley3142]

You are correct. If he had put this same story during pre WW2, the show probably would’ve gotten much more acclaim.

[@hannonbendall5536]

I've never heard someone pronounce Genevieve like that @ 13:20

[@TheWickedWizardOfOz1]

I couldn't work out that name, I just wanted to yell out "Don't forget Genevieve Reilly!" In a show filled with amazing performances, she's the one that hits hardest for me. I can see how one would get "Jean Vi-ev" out of that spelling, but it didn't click with me who he was mentioning.

[@citronm1405]

comment for the algorithm gods. Andor is excellent!

[@OnlyOneKenobi]

Absolutely LOVE this man and what he produced. THANK YOU. 🥰👌🏼💙

[@StarshipYorktown]

ANDOR is such an amazing show. Star Wars for adults.

[@TylerMatthewHarris]

Andor is 100% the best Disney Star Wars. Movie or show.

[@ZoldZsolt]

We really have to wait until S2 is concluded, but so far i'd say this is peak SW, peak Tony G, in a time when almost all brooks dried out, leaving us with nothing but desert as far as they eye can see. This is one of those oases where weary travelers stop by to refresh themselves, find new creativity and energy to continue the journey. As much as the journey matters the most, the oasis is essential, for each and every one of us.

[@mohamedal-sharif9728]

Tony gilroy would be a amazing choice to helm Mass Effect

[@Darth_Mornabin]

Great interview! Shame, that it doesn‘t benefit from the KZbin algorithm currenty.

[@JasonBebopp343]

As one of the writers for Rogue One, not suprised Andor was good. Binged in 2 days !

[@anthonyt1t5]

Andor really does feel like a interesting political thriller and heist novel. Tony gilroy was the perfect writer for this kind of show. The show may be boring for some people out there like starwars theory, but i think george lucas himself would appreciate its originality.

[@redtaperecorder1]

Andor carries the same emotional, aesthetic and sonic weight as Villenueve's Dune. I really wish they could use this same creative team for the new Dune TV series.

[@kristinab3838]

"It's safety is the enemy of expanding things, I think" Tony Gilroy summing up the problem of Disney Star Wars.

[@seancrowley3142]

I bet that Lucas had LOTS to say during that 45 min conversation. He probably went on a rant, ripping KK and Disney for ruining his product while at the same time praising Gilroy for doing a wonderful job. You can tell that Gilroy didn’t want to throw anyone under the bus. I respect that.

[@allanjstark]

If he gets more in charge of Star Wars, Disney would get new audience

[@seynpurrp]

18:43 DID THIS LEGEND JUST SNEAK-DISS RIAN AND JJ? XD

[@seancrowley3142]

JJ and RJ are clueless. I will never support a project they 25:01 are involved in. And yes, definitely could have been a sneak diss.

[@glonk5013]

Вот кто по-настоящему спаситель современных звёздных войн. Не Джон Фавро(хотя он и пытается), и не, упаси Господи, Дейв Филони. Жалко осознавать, что Тони так редко зовут снимать в зв

[@cloudlanding8258]

Very much agreed. Tony gilroy is the true trailblazer

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

3:30 - I'd give anything to read what he wrote about ANOTHER Star Wars movie! 😄

[@ibrahimkuyumcu2649]

15:29

[@ahermens]

Yes he is right "disruption" and "imagination" are cornerstones of a good series/movie, but Andor is also incredibly knowledgable and respectful of the Star Wars material which has gone before it unlike The Last Jedi. Andor is simply a masterpiece. I can't wait for series 2.

[@bens.6458]

That speech - Nietzsche

[@titanuranus3095]

He learned the term "Diegetic Music" now? hasn't he been making films since the 90s?

[@theStacyJames]

Andor was the best StarWars content since the original series. Keep Kennedy as far away from it as humanly possible

[@24pagedown]

She's the reason why he's here haha

[@theStacyJames]

@@24pagedown dude, she's ideological poison. Don't even try and gaslight me. Gilroy would have done this 10 years ago if not for Flatuafant Kennedy

[@Wendydarling420]

lol. ''kathy took a huge gamble on me''. this is soooo hilarious. the safe bets flopped. the gamble was the actual safe bet. kathy is incompetent